Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995 TAG: 9508210065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Although it would be incorrect and unfair to attribute the Salem Avalanche's six-game losing streak solely to Chris Sexton, there is no question that he was a central figure in both the start and the finish.
The Avalanche was one out away from beating the Durham Bulls Aug.11 when Sexton's throwing error let the Bulls off the chopping block and back into a game they would go on to win in extra innings.
That started the six-game skid. The evil string ended Friday night at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium when Sexton, who had come in in the eighth inning as a defensive replacement at centerfield, stroked an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 4-3 victory over the Winston-Salem Warthogs.
With that, 3,402 mostly Avalanche fans were able to go home happy for the first time in almost a week.
Sexton, Salem's everyday shortstop, had come in for Edgard Velasquez, who had been summoned to the bench after going 0-for-2 with a walk and run scored.
In the ninth, Sexton came to the plate with three on and one out. He then delivered the winning run, one of three in the last two innings that Winston-Salem did not answer.
``I haven't come off the bench to hit all year,'' said Sexton, traded from the Warthogs to the Avalanche April 14. ``Fortunately, I'd had to come in to play and that got my mind in the game. That helped.''
Centerfield was no big deal, Sexton said. He'd played the position his whole career in college at Miami of Ohio. More of a strain on his mind was the error from last week.
``That throw contributed to the start of the stretch but that's baseball,'' Sexton said. ``It hasn't been dwelling on my every thought since then, but it is nice to atone for something a week later.''
Salem's victory plunged the Avalanche into a three-way tie for second place in the Carolina League's Southern Division. Front-running Kinston lost 2-1 to Frederick in 11 innings and Lynchburg beat Durham 9-8. Salem, Durham, and Winston-Salem are 11/2 games back of the Indians.
``That was a big win for us,'' Salem manager Bill Hayes said. ``We needed a win and for a while, it wasn't looking too good.''
Salem got five good innings out of Doug Million, who pitched respectably but left with a 1-1 tie.
The win went to Mark Brownson, who pitched an adventuresome but scoreless ninth in only his fourth appearance since joining the club Aug.1 from Class AA New Haven.
NOTES: Right-hander Jamey Wright (9-7, 2.48 ERA) opposes former University of Virginia left-hander Todd Ruyak (4-5, 4.06) as the series continues tonight. ... Right-hander Brent Crowther was the league's pitcher of the week for going 1-0 with 15 scoreless innings in two starts. ... Second baseman Vicente Garcia was still limping noticeably after missing three games with a banged up knee. He walked three times, had a run-scoring double, and scored a run. ... Forry Wells went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a walk.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB